Answered by Shaykh Amjad Rasheed
If a woman enters the mosque when Friday prayer is taking place does she have to perform the Friday prayer, or can she simply sit down without praying
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
It is understood that Friday prayer is not in of itself obligatory for women. Rather, what is in of itself obligatory for women [on Fridays] is Zuhr. [If she performs the Friday prayer, it fulfills her duty and lifts the obligation to pray Zuhr.]
Given this, if she attends a place where Friday prayer is being performed, she can sit down without praying, even if she is able to pray with them. However, once she starts praying with them it becomes forbidden [and sinful] for her to break her prayer, as explained in Hashiyat al-Bajuri. [1.221]
Amjad Rasheed
(Translated by Faraz Rabbani)